Salesian Literature

LETTERS OF SFS

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A Gentleman

 

The choice of this letter is an exception to some of the criteria enunciated in the introduction above, notably because the gentleman to whom it was sent cannot be identified, let alone be counted among Francis’s directees.  Nevertheless, it is included here in order to illustrate – in a style and tone appropriate to a correspondent he did not know well – the same personal and pastoral caring which Francis expressed to his close friends.  In this case, his caring prompted a rare autobiographical allusion, as Francis empathizes with his depressed correspondent out of his own struggles in Paris years before

 

Facing Temptations while trusting in God

 

Facing Temptations while trusting in God

[no date]

 

Sir, I am very sorry to hear how much you have suffered during this serious and irritating illness from which, I trust, you are now recovering.  I would have been even more distressed to hear this had I not already been assured form all sides that, thanks be to God, you were not critically ill and that you were regaining your strength and were on your way to being completely healed.

 

What is of greater concern to me now is that everyone says that besides your physical illness, you are suffering from deep depression.  I can imagine how much this will slow down your return to perfect health and breed the very opposite condition.  Now, sir, my heart is very sad to hear this, and since I have such deep, inexpressible affection for you, I also feel great compassion for your family.

 

Please tell me, sir, what reason have your for remaining in this dark mood which is so harmful to you? I’m afraid your mind is still troubled by some fear of a sudden death and the judgement of God.  That is, alas, a unique kind of anguish!  My own soul, which once endured it for six weeks, is in a position to feel compassion for those who experience it.  So, sir, I must have a little heart to heart chat with you and tell you that anyone who has a true desire to serve Our Lord and flee from sin should not torment himself with the thought of death or divine judgement; for while both the one and the other are to be feared, nevertheless, the fear must not be that terrible kind of natural fear which weakens and dampens the ardour and determination of the spirit, but rather a fear that is so full of confidence in the goodness of God that in the end it grows calm.

 

And, sir, when we experience difficulties in avoiding sin, or when we have misgivings or fear that when faced with temptation we may not be able to resist, this is not the time to start questioning whether or not we are strong enough to entrust ourselves to God.  oh no, sir, for the mistrust of our strength is not a lack of resolve, but a true recognition of our weakness.  It is better to distrust our capacity to resist temptation than to be sure that we are strong enough to do so, so long as what we don’t count on from our own strength we do not count on from the grace of God.  This is how it happens that many persons who very confidently promised to do marvels for God, failed when under fire, whereas many who greatly mistrusted their own strength and were afraid they would fail accomplished wonders when the time came, because the great awareness of their own weakness forced them to seek God’s help to watch, pray and be humble, so as not to fall into temptation (cf. Mt. 26:41).

 

I say that even if we felt we might have neither the strength nor the courage to resist temptation should it befall us now, as long as we desired to resist and hoped that if it did come our way, God would rescue us and we would seek His help, then we must not be sad.  Neither do we always have to feel strong and courageous; it is enough to hope that we will have strength and courage when and where we need them.  We don’t have to have a sign that these virtues will be ours; it is enough if we hope that God will help us.  Samson who was called the “strong one” never felt the supernatural strength with which God assisted him, except now and then; and for that reason it is said that when he faced lions or enemies, he was empowered by the Spirit of God to kill them (Judg. 14:6, 19; 15:14).  Now God, who does nothing in vain, does not give us either strength or courage when we don’t need them, but only when we do.  He never fails us.  Consequently, we must always hope that He will help us if we entreat Him to do so.  We should always use these words of David, “Why are you sad, my soul, and why do you trouble me? Hope in the Lord” (cf. Ps. 42:6, 12; 43:5), and this prayer which he spoke: “When my strength fails, Lord, do not abandon me” (cf. Ps. 71:9).

 

So now, since you want to belong entirely to God, why be afraid of your weakness – on which, in any case, you shouldn’t be relying.  You do hope in God, don’t you?  And will anyone who hopes in Him ever be put to shame?  No, sir, never (cf. Sir. 2:10).  I beg you, sir, calm all he objections that might be taking shape in your mind and to which you need give no other answer than that you want to be faithful at all times, that you hope God will see to it that you are, without your trying to figure out if He will or not; for such attempts are deceiving.  Many persons are brave when they cannot see the enemy, but not so brave when they are in his presence; on the contrary, many are afraid before the skirmish, but the actual danger fills them with courage.  We must not be afraid of fear.  So much for that, sir.

 

When all is said, God knows all that I would do and suffer in order to see you completely free of fear.  I am your very humble and unworthy servant.

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